This memorandum summarizes information on refractory materials and composites that was presented at the Thirteenth Meeting of the Refractory Composites Working Group in Seattle, Washington on July 18-20, 1966. The memorandum is based on 34 papers that were presented at the meeting. They are reviewed and discussed briefly within the framework of the following four broad areas: materials technology, process technology, specific hardware applications and tests, and evaluation techniques. Included in the section on materials technology are discussions dealing with bulk refractory materials, coated systems, and fiber-reinforced composites. The section on process technology discusses cladding and general fabrication processes. The specific hardware applications and tests cover rocket-motor components, and cladding of a probe used in the glass industry. The section on evaluation techniques covers thermal testing, and non-destructive testing. (Author).

The report is a compilation of 36 papers describing the information discussed at the Thirteenth Refractory Composites Working Group Meeting held at The Olympic Hotel, Seattle, Washington on 18, 19, and 20 July 1967. Representatives of various organizations presented informal discussions of their current activities in the fields of development, evaluation and application of inorganic refractory composites for use in high temperature environments.

Although a considerable amount of information concerning the applications for arc plasmas in the materials sciences is available, it is contained in literally thousands of separate manuals, technical notes, textbooks, and government and industrial reports. Each source generally deals with only one specific application or, at best, a narrow range of utilization. This book was developed to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date compilation of information in the technology of arc plasma utilization. The book is divided into two general categories: flame spraying and materials evaluation. In the flame spraying section a comprehensive review of the plasma spraying process is presented. The design and operation of plasma spraying equipment are described. Included are a description of the nature of a plasma, and the design and operation of plasma generators, powder feed systems and accessory control equip ment. The general process procedures, and associated process variables are de scribed. Particular emphasis is given to the particle heating process and the mechanisms for adherence and cohesion of coatings. Competitive flame spraying equipment is also detailed (combustion process, detonation and electric arc) and compared with the plasma spray process. A discussion and compilation of flame sprayed ceramic and metal materials, their properties and applications are also included.

The introductory sections contain a brief discussion of the general methods of producing fiber-reinforced composites and of the theory of fiber-reinforcement of metals. The body of the report describes research on fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites, and is organized according to metal matrix materials. For convenience, the report is divided into two sections: Low density matrices (including aluminum, magnesium, and titanium and their alloys) and high density matrices (cobalt, copper and its alloys, iron, lead-tin alloys, nickel and nickel alloys, silver, tantalum, and tungsten). (Author).

Experimental programs concerned with the oxidation of titanium and its alloys are reviewed and results compared with those predicted by theory. Wagner-Hauffe theory is used as the primary basis for comparison, and its inconsistencies are pointed out. Fifteen binary alloy systems involving titanium are covered, as well as a few ternary and commercial alloys. A short section discusses the effects of oxygen or nitrogen contamination on the mechanical properties of titanium and its alloys. (Author).

The Memorandum discusses the current situation on the inclusion of fracture-toughness testing requirements in specifications for high-strength steels used for military applications. The Memorandum was prepared at the request of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP), and contains information from Canadian and British members of that program, as well as U.S. information. Military applications discussed include missile motor cases, aircraft landing gear, gun tubes, armor plate, and hydrofoils. (Author).